Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Sunday suggested dismantling of the Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) in the next two years and allocation of the earmarked funds to States as flexi-funds for achieving sectoral targets. “Haryana Government wants centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) dismantled; devolution of funds in a manner that leaves space for local initiatives and puts premium on efficient and fast-growing states; 15 percent increase in annual plan allocation for 2015-16 and 2016-17 over 2013-14; and burial to the ritual of annual plan approval,” said the Chief Minister while speaking at the meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog in New Delhi.
“As you are aware, the Union Budget allocates about 59 per cent of the central plan funds as central plan assistance to states and the balance 41 per cent of central plan funds are allocated in the form of CSS. The straight-jacketed conditionalities of the CSS do not allow any flexibility to meet local needs which results in states either conforming to a uniform eligibility and strategic posture, or losing out on resource allocation”, the Chief Minister pointed out.
Devolution of funds should be made on the basis of a formula other than the one proposed by Gadgil-Mukherjee, and states should be given greater liberty in opting for strategies to achieve the national goals within the given time-frame and central plan assistance (CPA) put on automatic route to achieve the national goals, he added.
“For calculating the annual allocation under the Plan for the years 2015-16 and 2016-17, I would propose a 15 per cent annual increase on the base year allocation of 2013-14”, he added.
‘Declare NCR as a national interest strategic point’
Haryana has asked the Centre to declare the National Capital Region (NCR) a zone of strategic national interest and make a policy intervention in the Union Budget to provide special annual financial support to ensure creation of appropriate infrastructure in the region. “I would request that this be announced as a policy initiative in the 2015-16 Union Budget. The NITI Aayog must recognise this and provide special infrastructure funding for the purpose”, said Khattar.
Khattar asks other States to pitch in for solving Delhi’s water woes
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal said that water-deficit Haryana alone should not be banked upon for meeting the water needs of Delhi. “Other States should also come forward and pitch in with their contribution in this regard. This issue is being specifically raised because the increasing demand of water of the National Capital Territory of Delhi can be reasonably met only after fulfillment of the needs of residents of Haryana”, said the Chief Minister while speaking at the meeting of Governing Council of Niti Aayog in New Delhi.
He said, “Waters of the inter-State rivers should be declared national property and we should aim to achieve the national goals by putting aside inter-State disputes. Haryana is a water deficit State with respect to surface and ground water resources.” Manohar lal said, “District irrigation plans are proposed to be prepared on a pilot basis in four districts in 2015-16. Haryana is also committed to fulfilling the legitimate expectations of the farmers and people of Haryana regarding provision of adequate water through early completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna link canal and the Hansi-Butana canal.”